Ferrari president John Elkann has publicly rebuked Lewis Hamilton, telling him to “focus on driving and talk less” following the driver’s recent remarks describing his debut season with the Italian team as a “nightmare.”
Hamilton’s first year with Ferrari has been far from the dream partnership many expected. The seven-time world champion has struggled to adapt to his new surroundings, while Ferrari has fallen short of expectations in both car performance and results. His frustration reached a peak after retiring from the São Paulo Grand Prix due to floor damage sustained in a failed overtake attempt.
Speaking in Milan, Elkann expressed disappointment at the team’s recent performances, stressing that both drivers needed to stay focused on finishing the season strongly. “We still have a few races left, and it’s not impossible to finish second,” he said, hinting at dissatisfaction with Hamilton’s results. The British driver currently sits sixth in the championship standings, 66 points behind his teammate Charles Leclerc and still without a podium finish this season.
Hamilton’s adaptation has been complicated by Ferrari’s internal structure and decision-making processes. Earlier in the season, he reportedly held several meetings with Elkann and CEO Benedetto Vigna, presenting documents outlining changes he believes could help improve the team’s competitiveness ahead of the 2026 regulation changes.
Elkann praised the efforts of Ferrari’s engineers and mechanics, noting improvements in the car’s pace and pit stops, but suggested the drivers had underdelivered. The pointed comment underscores mounting pressure on Hamilton to justify his blockbuster move from Mercedes to Ferrari.
Meanwhile, Lando Norris extended his lead in the drivers’ championship after a dominant victory in Brazil. The McLaren driver has now won consecutive races but insists he is not yet thinking about the title. “It’s a great win, but there’s still a long way to go,” Norris said, emphasizing focus over celebration.
With only three races remaining, Norris leads teammate Oscar Piastri by 24 points and Max Verstappen by 49. Despite his commanding position, the 25-year-old insists every weekend remains a fresh battle in his pursuit of a first world championship.
